Monday, December 24, 2012

Santa's Surprises

After the kids went to bed, Santa began assembling the gifts and had them all around the living room before Greg & I went to bed!
Cooper asked for his own art box
 He also wanted a Fortress
 and a garbage truck (this now makes 3 large garbage trucks and 5 small ones ~ I think he wants a fleet to start his own company!)
 Reagan requested Lego Friends' ~ Olivia's House & Motorhome
 A Bracelet Maker
 and a big girl watch
 We're ready for Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve with Gigi & Bubba

Now that we're back in our home state, we rejoined the tradition of going to Gigi & Bubba's on Christmas eve.  We had a wonderful meal of salad, steak, shrimp, and baked potatoes; and Ginger's famous Apple Pie and Red Velvet cake for dessert.  Then, it was the time the kids had been waiting for...PRESENTS!!!
tear into it!
 a new Lego friend
 a sea scope to explore in the lake
 more magna-tiles to add to his collection
 Candy from Ginger & Alan
 Season Passes to Dollywood & Splash Country
 sweet, sweet girl
 a new game for her Leap Pad
 Cooper got a new game too!
 Candy for Cooper (Holly Jolly, Holly Jolly Christmas!)
 a motorhome!
 so much fun playing together
 Greg & I were there too!
 When we got home, the kids put out food for Santa's reindeer
 found snowflake and his note
Dear Reagan and Cooper,
Today's my last day, I must say good-bye.
Tonight I must go, to the North Pole I'll fly.
But Santa will be here with gifts and good cheer,
and I will be back the same time next year.
So be a good boy and girl, and take care of yourself-
remember the fun times you had with Snowflake the Elf.
But above all else, remember what's true,
That God sent us Jesus, a gift that never leaves you.
Love,
Snowflake
set out cookies for Santa
 Cooper was not happy that he couldn't have a cookie!
The kids received so many great gifts tonight ~ rain coats, snow boots (hopefully we'll get to use them soon!), games, toys, season passes.  We are so blessed!
Thanks Gigi, Bubba, Ginger & Alan

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Sleepy Snowflake

Snowflake must be tired from all of those trips back and forth to the North Pole!  We found him cozy and sleeping this morning!
 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Cookies

Snowflake must want Reagan to make some more of her delicious Christmas cookies ~ we found him in the mixer this morning!
hint taken, we made cookies after dinner tonight.  (no pictures, all of our hands were covered in dough!)
 We had a LAZY day today! The kids visited the Sandidge Cinema (the basement) to watch a couple of Christmas movies.  They had blankets, drinks, and popcorn. 
 Meet the newest Reindeer, Cooper!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Curtain Call

Today we found Snowflake hanging from the curtain rod.  He knew he needed to be up high because we were having a Christmas party for our Bible Study group tonight and those kids can get a little rowdy!
a view from the top!
 Today was Cooper's Christmas party at school.  They had made these Christmas tree hand print t-shirts earlier in the week and he wanted to wear it for the party. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Let's Eat / Christmas Party

Today was a fun day ~ we found Snowflake hiding out in the china cabinet and then Reagan's class had their "Winter Party" this afternoon.
think he's ready for Christmas Dinner?
 The class had pizza from Little Caesar's
 The girls
 The boys
They also had hot chocolate with marshmallows
 Reagan and her table mate Maritza
 waiting for the gift exchange
 Reagan received a puzzle for her gift
 There were several craft & fun stations set up for the kids.  At this one, the kids got to frost sugar cookies and put sprinkles on them.
 Even Greg got in on the fun.  He "manned" snowball game.
 Getting ready for pin the nose on the snowman
 She did it perfectly
 Reagan's turn to throw snowballs
 she was the highest scoring girl
 they also made snowmen out of marshmallows